Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-01-27

citizens within the perview of our
constitution. Then there lie. il be.
------------
OBSERVER" AGAIN SPEAKS.
viSirA, /. r., Jan. 9l, 1881.
EDITOR OF CHIEFTAIN: Because
| called attention to Taylor's ham
stringing his Rabbit he asserts that
l wish to cheat the Cherokees out of
their lands. As far as am con.
cerned Mr.. Taylor lies; hope un-
der mistake. My rights, interest
and investments are equal and as
well secured as Taylor's. If he
piH play statesman he must learn to
reason and not reply to argument
by an attack on intention of others
with assertions as baseless as a fab
ric of vision.
Does Taylor pretend to say that
the expression of opinion that the
adopted element have the same
rights as native Cherokees in the
funds derived from The public do
main necessarily cheats all Chero-
KEGS out of every acre of land?
The widest advocate of Bunch's
opinion never went that far. Tay-
lor ought TO know that between
Bunch and the adopted voters who
are two-thirds of Cooweescoow
there is a radical difference of
opinion as to just t0hat are the
rights of adopted citizens. There
is almost no division Of opinion
among the adopted elements that
they are entitled to an equal share
in public funds derived from the
common domain. President Cleve-
land, Secretary Lamar, Commits
sioner Atkins, who are lawyers,
agree with the adopted elements.
Taylor with Bunch. They have
had more experience in constituting
law than Taylor and their mental
calibre equals Taylor's. Glitte ing
generalities that Bunch is willing
to give adopted voters their rights
under the treaties, wont win while
his prophet boasts he gloried in
depriving them of the share of
funds that they honestly think
they ought to have received. The
Cherokee fullbloods are divided on
party issues; so are the mixed
bloods. For years the Cherokees
by blood have been nearly equally
divided. With them, these issues
overshadow the question, as to
who is entitled to per capita from
grass money. The adopted element
elected Bushyhead after the Chero-
KEGS by blood had cast several
hundred majority against him.
What is TO be thought of the
political sagacity of an advocate
who would call the attention of
some eighteen hundred voters who
hold the balance of power that his
candidate said they were not en-
titled to equal rights with other
voters. If Taylor had not shown
that he was incapable Of such men
tai vigor, some might, suspect he
was purposely butchering Rabbit
and was a master diplomat who
was trying to pave the way for
Bushyhead to dash in and retire
Rabbit and try to capture or divide
the adopted vote. But it is said,
"Children and - speak the
truth" Taylor has blundered-
it is a mistake of the head and not
of the heart.
Taylor's law is correct. He has
not the legal acumen to properly
apply it. While the United States
supreme court decided that the
Cherokees could determine who
were entitled:to citizenship, or at
least until the.other North Carolina
Cherokees followed Taylor's exam
pie and came here and complied
with our laws they could not assert
ownership in our lands or money,
that cour. did not decide that after
we had admitted Taylor, Delaware,
Shawnee, white man or negro 10
citizenship, we could deprive them
of equal rights in all funds. 1t has
yet to decide that man is one day
a citizen and then only half a citi-
zen, or "half horse and half alliga-
tor" and one is about as proba-
BILE as the other. Until it does
decide against the adopted voters,
that they will vote against those
who lead the attack upon them is
the opinion Of, OBSERVER.
THE COURT DEFENDED.
PADES's PHAIRIE, 1 T., Jan. Is, lss7.
EDITOR CHIEFTAIS:-"Subscrib-
er" seems to be a little sore over
snnne of the dncisinns of nnr sn-